Mayfair? Monopoly man on the march

In a case of life imitating art, Timothy Hawes, Australia's current Monopoly champion, has gone from being a Monopoly real estate guru and bus driver to a real-life property tycoon.

Since winning the title four years ago, Mr Hawes quit his secure government job to enter the property market with his wife, Wanda. They now own 12 properties across Australia and are negotiating on more.

Aside from doing a few crash courses in property management, he says the popular board game has contributed to his success. "You have to negotiate extensively in Monopoly and also in real-life property. Sometimes negotiation can take up to six months before a real purchase though - unfortunately you don't have that much time in Monopoly," he said.

With registration opening for the Australian championships, Mr Hawes is in training to defend his title and has big plans if he makes it to the World Championships in Tokyo in October. "If I'm fortunate enough to win the Australian title again I plan to write a book," he said.

Mr Hawes said the game could get very aggressive at tournament level. "There have been some very heated discussions at the competitions, that's why there's a judge at each table . . . If you're trying to negotiate to buy and they keep saying no, you're just going to keep trying aren't you?" he said. This could explain why the longest game ever went for 70 days straight. Mr Hawes will defend his title at the Australian Finals, to be held in a train carriage in Sydney's Old Mortuary Station on July 8.

To register for the state rounds, held across Australia in May, phone 1300 362 864.